Power supply cord storage mechanism

ABSTRACT

An apparatus including at least two longitudinally extending guides configured to be coupled to opposite side surfaces of a power supply unit such that, when coupled to the power supply unit, the guides cooperate with the power supply unit to form a channel between the guides, at least one end of each of the guides defining a recess in the at least one end that is configured to receive and retain a part of a flexible portion of an electrical power cord and to cooperate with the power supply unit to retain the power cord in a wrapped arrangement substantially within the channel, and a retention element cooperating with the recess to receive and retain the part of the flexible portion of the electrical power cord.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/416,955, filed Mar. 9, 2012, which is a continuation-in-partapplication of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/327,258, filed Dec. 15,2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/498,241, filed Jun. 17, 2011, and titled “Power Supply Cord Storage.”The entire contents of the aforementioned applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to management and storage of power supply cordsfor electric and electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Electric and electronic devices, such as computers, printers, displays,or other devices derive power from a domestic source, such as a 120 or240 volt outlet or line. The power supply for providing power to thesedevices usually includes a power supply unit that transforms or modifieselectrical energy and one or two associated power cords. The power cordsusually include a high voltage line cord that couples to and derivespower (typically AC) from a wall outlet and connects to the power supplyunit, and an output line (typically lower voltage DC) that couples tothe power supply unit and the electric or electronic devices to bedriven by the converted electricity. When not in use, or when a user,for example, is traveling, a user will often wrap the power cords,around the power supply unit, for storage or management of the cords andpower supply unit. However, these and other wrapping methods fail tofacilitate the orderly wrapping or maintenance of the associated powercords, nor do they provide for the securing of the power cord ends.Invariably, the unsecured ends and the cords become loose and tangled orfor lack of a readily usable storage solution, the power cords aresimply left in a jumble to be untangled later. Typically, laptops andother power supply units are delivered with a “Velcro®-like” tapeintended to secure the cords to the body of the power supply unit. Thisturns out to be an inefficient and mediocre solution to the problem atbest and users then tend to ignore the tape or find it annoying andremove it.

SUMMARY

The disclosed implementations provide a simple, quick, and convenientmeans of managing the orderly use and storage of power cords of portableelectric and electronic power supply units. It may be implemented in theinitial manufacture and made a part of the power supply unit or it maybe implemented retrospectively by being attached either releasably orpermanently to the power supply unit body. The design assists in themaintenance of orderly control of the power cord(s) whether beingextended partially or fully. For example, the recesses formed in theends of the extensions or guides discussed herein allow capture ofvarious sized power cords at any location along the flexible portion ofthe cord, so that if a user wants to shorten or lengthen the cord duringuse, the present implementations provide a quick, unique, and easy meansof doing so.

In one general aspect, an apparatus includes a power supply unit, and aplurality of extensions extending outwardly from opposing side surfacesof the power supply unit, the extensions cooperating with the powersupply unit to form a channel between the extensions, wherein at leastone end of each of the plurality of extensions defines a recess in theat least one end that is configured to receive and retain a part of aflexible portion of an electrical power cord, and wherein the at leastone end of each of the plurality of guides further defines retentionmechanisms for retaining the part of the flexible portion of theelectrical power cord within the recess.

Implementations can optionally include one or more of the followingfeatures. For example, the apparatus further includes a flexible elementcoupled to the retention mechanisms. The flexible element includes tipsmade from a rubber or a plastic. The tips are bonded to the retentionmechanisms or the tips are formed integrally with the retentionmechanisms. The flexible element includes a plurality of jackets madefrom a rubber or a plastic. Each of the plurality of jackets isconfigured to substantially surround a portion of one of a cooperatingretention mechanism. The apparatus further includes a flexible elementcomprising a single jacket, the single jacket configured tosubstantially surround each of the retention mechanisms. The retentionmechanisms comprise a first substantially linear portion extendingsubstantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one of theplurality of extensions and a substantially curved portion terminatingproximate to the linear portion. The substantially curved portionincludes a first portion that extends substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the at least one of the plurality of extensions fora portion of its length and a second curved portion that extends for aportion of its length substantially perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the at least one of the plurality of extensions beforeterminating in a portion that is substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the at least one of the plurality of extensions.The retention mechanisms include a first substantially curved portionextending from the at least one end of each of the plurality ofextensions and a second raised portion extending from the at least oneend of each of the plurality of extensions. The first substantiallycurved portion and the second raised portion cooperate to form apassageway in a side of the extension for receiving a part of theflexible portion of the electrical power cord. The retention mechanismsinclude a first portion having a longitudinally extending and a curvedportion and a second portion having a longitudinally extending and acurved portion, the first and second portions extending from an endportion of the at least one end of each of the plurality of extensionsand terminating proximate each other to form a passageway leading intoan opening defined between the first and second portions. The apparatusfurther includes one or more grooves defined in an end portion of the atleast end proximate the first and second portions. The one or moregrooves are configured to permit the first or second portions to flexalong or out of a plane defined by the at least one of the plurality ofextensions

In another general aspect, an apparatus includes at least twolongitudinally extending guides configured to be coupled to oppositeside surfaces of a power supply unit such that, when coupled to thepower supply unit, the guides cooperate with the power supply unit toform a channel between the guides, at least one end of each of theguides defining a recess in the at least one end that is configured toreceive and retain a part of a flexible portion of an electrical powercord and to cooperate with the power supply unit to retain the powercord in a wrapped arrangement substantially within the channel, and aretention element cooperating with the recess to receive and retain thepart of the flexible portion of the electrical power cord.

Implementations can optionally include one or more of the followingfeatures. For example, the retention element includes a first portionhaving a longitudinally extending and a curved portion and a secondportion having a longitudinally extending and a curved portion, thefirst and second portions extending from an end portion of the at leastone end of each of the guides and terminating proximate each other toform a passageway leading into the recess between the first and secondportions. The apparatus further includes one or more grooves defined inan end portion of the at least one end of each of the guides. The one ormore grooves are configured to permit the first or second portions toflex along or out of a plane defined by the at least one of the guides.The retention element includes a textured surface disposed within the atleast one end of each of the guides defining the recess. The retentionelement includes an insert defining a plurality of textured portionsdisposed within the at least one end of each of the guides. The insertis bonded to the at least one end of the guides or is formed integralwith the at least one end of the guides. The retention element includesone of a clip, a tip, or a jacket. The tip or the jacket is formed froma flexible material. The flexible material includes rubber or plastic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an implementation of a cord wrap for a power supplyunit.

FIG. 2 illustrates the cord wrap of FIG. 1 with portions of the cordswrapped about the power supply unit.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate another implementation of a cord wrap for apower supply unit.

FIGS. 3C and 3D illustrate alternative implementations of the cord wrapof FIGS. 3A and 3B

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another implementation of a cord wrap for apower supply unit.

FIG. 5 illustrates another implementation of a cord wrap for a powersupply unit.

FIG. 6 illustrates another implementation of a cord wrap for a powersupply unit.

FIG. 7 illustrates another implementation of a cord wrap for a powersupply unit.

FIG. 8 illustrates another implementation of a cord wrap for a powersupply unit.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate alternative implementations of the cord wrap ofFIG. 8.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate other implementations of a cord for a powersupply unit.

FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate alternative implementations of the retentionmechanisms of FIGS. 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbersindicate like elements, FIG. 1 illustrates an implementation of a cordwrap or cord caddy 100 for a power supply unit 10. Power supply unit 10is used to provide electric power to any number of consumer electronicdevices, such as computers, laptop computers, printers, displays, andother electric and electronic devices. A high voltage power cord 17 maybe releasably connected at one of its ends to the power supply unit 10at a port (not shown) formed in the power supply unit 10, and at anopposite of its ends to, for example, a wall outlet via commonelectrical prongs (not shown) formed at the end of the power cord 17.The high voltage power cord 17 delivers power from a domestic source,such as a 120 or 240 volt wall outlet to the power supply unit 10. Asecond low voltage power cord 15 may also be connected, or releasablyconnected, at one end to the power supply unit 10, such as for exampleto port 20 formed in the power supply unit 10, and at an opposite end ofthe cord 15 to a receiving port formed in the electronic device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply unit 10 may include one or moreextensions or guides 30. The extensions or guides 30 may be formedduring, for example, the manufacture of the power supply unit 10 byextending opposite side surfaces 12, 14 in a longitudinal or transversedirection thereby forming guides 30 opposite one another at oppositeends 16, 18 of the power supply unit 10. Alternatively, the extensionsor guides 30 may be permanently or releasably coupled to the powersupply unit 10 after the unit 10 has been manufactured or duringmanufacture of the unit 10, as will be discussed in more detail below.The extensions or guides 30 may extend beyond the outer periphery of thepower supply unit 10 for a desired length, for example, 25.4 mm to 50.8mm (1 to 2 inches), depending upon the length of the high and lowvoltage power cords used. The extensions or guides 30 form channels ortrough areas 40, 50 between them, respectively. The channel or troughareas 40, 50 generally conform to the width of the power supply unit 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, using the power supply unit 10 as a core or base,the high and low voltage cords 17, 15 connected to the power supply unit10 may be wound around the power supply unit 10, for example, in alongitudinal or transverse direction around the power supply unit 10,such that the cords are held in place between the guides 30 at oppositeends of the power supply unit 10. In order to prevent the cords fromunwinding, one or more of the extensions or guides 30 may include arecess, notch or other opening, such as wedge-shaped notches 60 formedin the extensions or guides 30. Once the power cords are wound aroundthe power supply unit 10, end portions of the power cords may beinserted and wedged into the notches 60 to retain a portion of the cordsin position. In order to remove the cords from the respective notches60, a user simply has to pull the end portions of the power cords fromthe notches 60 at which point the user may unwind the cords from aroundthe power supply unit 10 to the extent needed or desired.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in addition to forming the extensions orguides 30 during manufacture of the power supply unit 10, the extensionsor guides may be retrofit onto an existing power supply unit 10. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 3A, B, the extensions or guides 130 may beformed separate from the power supply unit 10 in the form of stripshaving a length such that they extend beyond the ends of the powersupply unit 10 by a desired amount (e.g., 25.4 mm to 50.8 mm (1 to 2inches)). An adhesive material 90 such as glue, adhesive strips, hookand loop fasteners, such as Velcro®, or other suitable material may beprovided along a length of the extensions or guides 130 as shown in FIG.3A. Alternatively, the adhesive material 90 may be provided along alength of the side of the power supply unit 10. The guides 130 may bebrought into contact with the respective sides of the power supply unit10 in order to form the power cord wrap assembly as shown in FIG. 3B.The guides 130 may be shaped or configured to match or generally conformto the shape of the power supply unit 10. For example, a number of powersupply units 10 have slightly-angled side surfaces due to the design ofthe casing of the power supply unit 10. In those instances, the guides130 may be shaped, for example, with an angle that closely orsubstantially matches the angle of the side surface of the power supplyunit 10 to assist in adhering the guides 130 to the power supply unit10. In addition, the adhesive material 90 may be formed such that anyspace between the guides 130 and the side of the power supply unit 10are taken up or absorbed by the adhesive material 90 when the guides 130are brought into contact with the sides of the power supply unit 10. Itshould be understood that the guides 130 may have any suitable shape inorder to conform to the shape of the power supply unit 10.

As also shown in FIGS. 3A, B, the guides 130 may also include notches oropenings 60 as discussed above, or any of other suitable retentionmechanisms for retaining a portion of the cords once the cords arewrapped about the power supply unit 10 for storage. Alternatively, theextensions or guides 130 may also include clips 95 (FIGS. 4A, B) madefrom a metal, plastic or other suitable material for securing a portionof the cords once the cords are wrapped around the power supply unit 10to help prevent the cord from unwrapping. For example, once the cordsare wrapped around the power supply unit 10, a portion of the cords maybe snapped into place and received by the clips 95 (as shown in FIG.4B).

Referring to FIGS. 3C, portions of the guide 130 forming the notches oropenings 60 can include one or more scalloped or textured portions 135formed along a length of opposing faces 137, 139 of the guide 130. Thescalloped portions 135 assist in receiving and securing a portion of anelectrical cord within the openings 60. Referring to FIG. 3D, portionsof the guide 130 forming the notches or openings 60 can also include oneor more scalloped or textured portions 145 formed along a length ofopposing faces 147, 149 of the guide 130. The scalloped or texturedportions 145 may be formed from an elastic or flexible material such asrubber, polymer, or other suitable materials such that the scallopedportions 145 may assist in receiving and securing a portion of theelectrical code within the openings 60. The scalloped or texturedportions 145 may be formed as part of an integral unit or insert 146 andthen placed within the opening 60 formed in the end portions of theguide 130 (as shown in FIG. 3D) using an adhesive, sealant, or otherforms of bonding to secure the portions 145 to the guide 130 within theopening 60. Alternatively, the integral unit 146 or portions 145 may beformed integrally with the guide 130.

Referring to FIG. 5, an alternative cord wrap 200 is shown. The powersupply unit 10 may include one or more extensions or guides 30. Theextensions or guides 30 may be formed during, for example, themanufacture of the power supply unit 10 by extending opposite sidesurfaces 12, 14 in a longitudinal or transverse direction therebyforming guides 30 opposite one another at opposite ends 16, 18 of thepower supply unit 10. Alternatively, the extensions or guides 30 may bereleasably coupled to the power supply unit 10 after the unit 10 hasbeen manufactured or during manufacture of the unit 10. The extensionsor guides 30 may extend beyond the outer periphery of the power supplyunit 10 for a desired length, for example, 25.4 mm to 50.8 mm (1 to 2inches), depending upon the length of the high and low voltage powercords 15, 17 used. The extensions or guides 30 form channels or troughareas 40, 50 between them, respectively. The channel or trough areas 40,50 generally conform to the width of the power supply unit 10. In theimplementation shown in FIG. 5, at least one end portion 35 of theextensions or guides 30 is formed in a substantially L-shapedconfiguration. The end portions 35 serve to further aid in retaining thewrapped cords 15, 17 in position around the periphery of the powersupply unit 10. For example, as the cords 15, 17 are wrapped around thepower supply unit 10, they tend to fill up the space formed by thechannels or trough areas 40, 50. As the cords 15, 17 fill up the space,the outer portion of the wrapped cords 15, 17 may contact the endportions 35 such that the end portions 35 exert a force on the wrappedsection of cords to help limit or prevent movement of the cords once thewrap is complete.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative implementation for preventing thecords from unwinding once the cords 15, 17 are wrapped around the powersupply unit 10. As illustrated in FIG. 6, one of the ends of theextensions or guides 30 may include one or more receptacles 70 formed inthe shape and configuration of electrical prongs or plugs so that oncethe high voltage power cord 17 is wrapped around the power supply unit10, the pronged or plugged end (not shown) of the power cord 17 may beplugged into the receptacles 70. Likewise, one of the ends of theextensions or guides 30 may include a hole or opening 80 formed toreceive or mate with the connector end (not shown) of the low voltagepower cord 15 once it is wrapped around the power supply unit 10. Byreceiving the respective ends of the power cords 15, 17, receptacles 70and opening or hole 80 provide a convenient way of retaining the cords15, 17 in a wrapped configuration around the power supply unit 10.

FIG. 7 shows an implementation of the cord wrap with recesses formed inthe ends of the extensions or guides 30 having substantially ovalcross-sectional shaped body portions, in the shape of a circular notchor groove 100 for receiving a portion of the flexible part of anelectrical power cord, such as the flexible portions 200, 205 of thepower cords illustrated in FIG. 7. In order to further restrict movementand retain the flexible portions 200, 205 within the notch or grooves100, the ends of the extensions or guides 30 are formed with retentionfingers, clasps or other mechanisms 105 through which the flexibleportions 200, 205 may pass and remain entrapped in the notch or grooves100 until a user pulls the flexible portions 200, 205 through themechanisms 105 to free the flexible portions 200, 205 from the recesses100.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative implementation of the extensions or guides30 of FIGS. 3A and 3B. As illustrated in FIG. 8, instead of theextensions or guides 30 including notches or openings 60 as discussedabove with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the guides 30 may includerecesses formed in the shape of a circular notch or groove 100 forreceiving a portion of the flexible part of an electrical cord (notshown). Like the implementation shown in FIG. 7, in order to furtherrestrict movement and retain the flexible portions 200, 205 within thenotch or grooves 100, the ends of the extensions or guides 30 are formedwith retention mechanisms 105 in a similar manner as described abovewith respect to the implementation of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate various alternative implementations of elementsthat may be used in conjunction with the retention mechanisms 105 ofFIG. 8 to allow for the accommodation of varying sizes of electricalcords and/or wires and to assist in the insertion, retention, andremoval of the cords and/or wires in/from the notches or grooves 100.Referring to FIG. 8A, one or more tips or caps 110 may be placed over oraround an end or tip portion of the retention mechanisms 105. The tipsor caps 110 may be made from a soft or flexible rubber or elasticmaterial or may be made from a plastic material. Referring to FIG. 8B,one or more jackets 120 may be placed over or around a portion of theretention mechanisms 105. As shown in FIG. 8B, the jackets 120 surrounda larger portion of the retention mechanisms 105 as compared to the tips110 of FIG. 8A. Like the tips 110, the jackets 120 may be made from asoft or flexible rubber or elastic material or may be made from aplastic material. Referring to FIG. 8C, a jacket 130 may be placed overor around a portion of the retention mechanism 105 and a portion of theend of the extension or guide 30. As shown in FIG. 8C, the jacket 130surrounds substantially all of the retention mechanism 105 and a part ofthe end portion of the guide 30, while providing full coverage of theportion of the guide 30 forming the circular notch or groove 100. Likethe jackets 120, the jacket 130 may be made from a soft or flexiblerubber or elastic material or may be made from a plastic material. Thetips or caps 110 (FIG. 8A), the jackets 120 (FIG. 8B), and the jackets130 (FIG. 8C) may be attached to the retention mechanisms 105 using anadhesive or other suitable bonding material or may be formed integrallywith the retention mechanism 105, via, for example, a molding or othersuitable process. Alternatively, the tips and jackets may be slid ontothe retention mechanisms 105 and held by, for example, a friction fit,and removable for cleaning or replacement. Referring to FIG. 8D, aspring-loaded clip or clasp 150 may be rotatably coupled to one of theretention mechanisms 105. The clip 150 is formed such that when the clip150 is in the closed position, a space 152 is formed between the clip150 and an outer edge of the retention mechanism 105 at the end of theguide 30. When a user desires to capture a portion of an electrical cordor wire (not shown) within the opening 100 of the guide 30, the user canslide the cord along the outer surface of the guide 30 into the space152 and contact an end portion 155 of the clip 150. The clip 150 willrotate in a clockwise position to permit the cord to be positionedwithin the opening 100 of the guide 30. Once the cord is within theopening 100, the clip 150 will return to its closed position (FIG. 8D),and because it is biased against opening, the clip 150 will assist inretaining the cord within the opening 100 of the guide 30.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate alternative implementations of a cord wrapassembly 200 for use with a power supply unit 210. As illustrated inFIGS. 9A-9C, the power supply unit 210 includes electrical prongs 220,which may be plugged into, for example, a wall outlet. The prongs 220are movable between an open or extended position (FIG. 9A) and a closedposition (FIGS. 9B, 9C). Including the prongs 220 as part of the powersupply unit 210 eliminates the need for an additional high voltage powercord as discussed above. A low voltage power cord 215 may also beconnected, or releasably connected, at one end to the power supply unit210 and at an opposite end of the cord 215 to a receiving port formed inan electronic device, such as, for example, a laptop computer, phone, orwireless router device. As shown in FIG. 9C, the cord 215 may include aconnecter 215 a, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, formedat one of its ends for connecting to a mating USB receiving port (notshown) in the electronic device.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the power supply unit 210 may include one or moreextensions or guides 230 formed integral with the body of the powersupply unit 210 and formed with openings for receiving a portion of thepower cord 215 as discussed above. Alternatively, the guides 230 may beremovably attached to the power supply unit 210 as described above.Referring to FIGS. 9B and 9C, the extensions or guides 230 may beattached or disposed on the power supply unit 210 such that they aremovable between a closed position when not in use (FIG. 9B) and an openor extended position (FIG. 9C). The extensions or guides 230 may extendbeyond the outer periphery of the power supply unit 210 for a desiredlength, for example, 25.4 mm to 50.8 mm (1 to 2 inches) or less,depending upon the length of the power cord used and the dimensions ofthe particular power supply unit 210. Referring to FIG. 9C, using thepower supply unit 210 as a core or base, the power cord 215 may be woundaround the power supply unit 210, for example, in a longitudinal ortransverse direction around the power supply unit 210, such that thecord 215 is held in place between the guides 230 at opposite ends of thepower supply unit 210. Once the cord 215 is wound around the powersupply unit 210, a clip 240, which is slidably or permanent attached toa portion of the power cord 215 may be used to retain another portion ofthe cord 215 as shown in FIG. 9C. Alternatively, one or more of theextensions or guides 230 may include a recess, such as a notch or otheropening as discussed above to assist in retention of the cord 215 in awrapped configuration about the power supply unit 210. Alternatively, aclip, such as clip 95 (FIG. 4A, 4B), may be provided on one or more ofthe extensions or guides 230 or the power supply unit 210 to assist inretention of the cord in a wrapped configuration about the power supplyunit 210.

A number of implementations and alternatives have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Forexample, although the extension or guides 30 are shown as substantiallyflat longitudinally extending elements, the extensions or guides 30 mayhave any suitable shape such as cylinders, oval cross-sectional,rectangular cross-sectional, or other shapes and configurations tooptimize management, retention or storage of the power supply cord withthe power supply unit 10. Moreover, although the extensions or guides 30are shown extending from the body of the power supply unit 10, theextensions or guides 30 may be disposed within the body when not in useand moved to a position extending away from the body when in use. Forexample, the extensions or guides 30 may reside in mating pockets formedin the power supply unit 10 when not in use, and triggered, by the pushof a button or manually to extend from the power supply unit 10.Moreover, the extensions or guides 30 may be made from any suitablematerials, such as plastic, metals, or applicable material, such aspolycarbonate resin thermoplastics, such as Lexan™. In addition,although the cord wrap of, for example, FIG. 1 has been shown withnotches or grooves 60 formed in each of the guides 30, the cord wrap canbe formed with only one guide 30 having a groove 60, or with grooves 60formed in the ends of two or more of the guides 30.

In addition, although the retention mechanisms 105 shown in FIGS. 7 and8 were depicted as retention fingers or extensions of guides 30 formingsubstantially circular openings 100, other configurations are available.For example, FIGS. 10A-10E illustrate various implementations ofalternative retention mechanisms 1005. In the implementation shown inFIG. 10A, the retention mechanism 1005 includes a first substantiallylinear portion 1010 extending from an end portion of the guide 30substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis L of the guide 30, and acurved portion 1020 terminating proximate to the linear portion 1010.The curved portion 1020 includes a first portion 1021 that extendssubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the guide 30 for aportion of its length and a second curved portion 1022 which extends fora portion of its length substantially perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis L of the guide 30 before terminating in a portion 1023, which issubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L and the linear portion1010. The portion 1023 and the linear portion 1010 cooperate to form apassageway 1015 through which an electrical cord or wire (not shown) maybe passed for insertion into and removal from the opening 100.

Referring to FIGS. 10B-10D, the retention mechanism 1005 includes afirst substantially curved portion 1030 extending from an end portion ofthe guide 30 and a second portion 1040 in the form of a bump, knub,hump, or short extension of an end portion of the guide 30. The firstportion 1030 and the second portion 1040 cooperate to form a passageway1015 through which an electrical cord or wire (not shown) may be passedfor insertion into and removal from the opening 100. The first portion1030 and the second portion 1040 also cooperate to form a substantiallyC-shaped retention mechanism 1005 with a substantially circular opening(FIGS. 10B, 10C) or a rounded-rectangular opening (FIG. 10D). In theimplementations shown in FIGS. 10B-10D, unlike the previousimplementations, such as FIG. 10A, which shows the passageway 1015 forthe cord or wire formed at a distal end or tip of the extension or guide30, the passageways 1015 formed by the portions of the retentionmechanisms 1005 of FIGS. 10B-10D are formed in a side 37 of the guide30. Referring to FIG. 10E, an alternative guide mechanism 1005 is shownhaving first and second substantially curved portions 1050, 1060extending from an end of the guide 30 and terminating proximate eachother to form a passageway 1065 leading into opening 100. The curvedportions 1050, 1060 are substantially thinner and in someimplementations can be longer than, for example, the guide mechanisms105 of FIG. 8. Thinner portions 1050, 1060 can provide addedflexibility, which may assist in easing the insertion and removal of thecord or wire from the opening 100. FIG. 10F illustrates yet anotheralternative guide mechanism 1005 that includes first and secondlongitudinally extending and curved portions 1070, 1080 extending froman end portion of the guide 30 and terminating proximate each other toform the passageway 1065 leading into opening 100. The portions 1070,1080 may extend further in a longitudinal direction, as compared to, forexample, the portions 1050, 1060 of FIG. 10E, away from the end portionof the guide 30, such that the opening 100 is extended in a directionsubstantially along a longitudinal axis of the guide 30 as compared to,for example, the opening 100 of FIG. 10E. In order to provide additionalflexibility between the portions 1070, 1080, one or more grooves ornotches 1090 may be formed proximate the longitudinally extendingportions 1070, 1080 at an end portion of the guide 30. For example, asan electrical wire is being passed through the passageway 1065, thenotches 1090 allow the portions 1070, 1080 to flex or rotate through anarc or along a plane that is either substantially orthogonal orsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide 30 (e.g.,along or out of the plane of the extension or guide 30) therebyassisting in the placement and removal of the wire into and from,respectively, the opening 100. It should be understood that each of theguide mechanisms discussed above may be able to flex or rotate in asimilar manner.

Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a power supply unit; anda plurality of extensions extending outwardly from opposing sidesurfaces of the power supply unit, the extensions cooperating with thepower supply unit to form a channel between the extensions, wherein atleast one end of each of the plurality of extensions defines a recess inthe at least one end that is configured to receive and retain a part ofa flexible portion of an electrical power cord, and wherein the at leastone end of each of the plurality of guides further defines retentionmechanisms for retaining the part of the flexible portion of theelectrical power cord within the recess.